
Ok, no matter what - this guy is the epitome of uselessness and cowardice. I can let cowardice go, everyone's a coward every now and then, and that's fine. But he didn't pull his head out of his ass for long enough to do something about his cowardice and dares to sulk and whine? After a DECADE of being passive?
"I can never see you as a woman."
That's understandable! How about you act like the grown-up you're supposed to be and OWN UP to the responsibility you took.
"I was a child myself"
yes, well congrats! 10 years passed and apparently you matured not a single minute
"Oh I cannot process this as fast as you...?"
my god, he's gotta be some damn useless aide to the prince, then. Or is his inability SOMEHOW precisely shaped like "regarding this woman"?
Nah.
The story is mid. The real masterfully chosen thing is this guys persona which is ABHORRENTLY real. I know at least 5 guys like that.

Nono he just remembers her.
Though going by the concept "I am spying on my crush by providing a safe haven for her stress-induced mini-me-form and getting her to relax and talk over some sweets" is like, upfront brazen and cunning rolled into one madelaine
He probably reasoned along the line of
1. even if I could approach her, she's engaged
2. even if she wasn't engaged, I'd be blocked by her impenetrable outer layer of civility
3. (she doesn't remember me)
4. how to approach her without causing 2 scandals and approx. 12 misunderstandings??
5. she's so stressed, she ain't got no time to be wooed (which, like, stalls competition but also keeps everything in a stalemate)
... why does this child look like my my crush years ago and TALKS LIKE HER
As of ch. 32 I gotta ask.
What was his idea. Honestly. Him going full steam ahead to get her? Yeah, well, if he thinks so. (I'm not cheering for him) What's his plan?
He has her in front of him for the first time and dares getting COLD FEET?!
Look alive brother, she was the happiest clam that ever fled her homeland until you started a war, and you have no plan at all, no bearing, no dignity, no contingency plan and as the smoothest move in the history of smooth moves you think threatening your only ally for the last decade is your insanely brilliant cure all?
Yea that's the issue I have. What was your plan?